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He was speaking, Shannon realised, as she ducked behind the fountain. Mumbling, more specifically, and only to himself. At least that’s what the outside world was to believe. Shannon knew better.
She figured she would hide behind the fountain and listen, waiting for a better idea. But with her heart beating so fast, she could hardly control her breathing, let alone her thoughts. She peeped up, the tip of her nose resting on the ledge of the immense water feature.
“….Do it myself….look….tonight is…soon it will…..no!…..” his voice, though edging closer, was faint, and she could only make out emphasised words.
“….alone!…” But it was enough.
“…don’t need….” She understood.
“….Stop!…” The voice inside was taunting him. She forgot about her plan to keep hidden at the realisation of what would happen if she did nothing. She stood up.
He did not appear to notice her at first, so she tried speaking.
“…uh…um….” She rubbed the back of her neck nervously. His head shot up, icy blue eyes piercing into her through glass. He sighed, looking toward the ground. He was silence for a moment, and Shannon took the time to get a good look at him. He was taller than she imagined, and thinner too. However, his pale skin and blue tinted hair remained untouched by reality.
“look,” he started. “I don’t have time for such trivial things as girls. So, if you’ll excuse me.” He bowed, and turned to leave.
“Wait!” Shannon called, and although she half expected him to keep walking, he stopped.
“yes?” His soft voice was beautiful. Shannon tried to avoid thinking about it as she took her breath to speak.
“I…I’m lost and...um…sorry, I just…I don’t know how I got here. See… I’m from Australia and I-”
“Australia?”
“yes,” Shannon began to babble. “And I have no clue as to how I got here, and I don’t speak much Japanese and I-”
“I see” He intercepted her again. “Well, as it’s getting late and I can’t really leave you alone in a foreign country, I suggest you stay with me this evening.” He sighed. “Until I can find you a more suitable dwelling.”
Without motioning for Shannon to follow, he began walking. She jogged to catch up to him. He was a fast walker, and she found no need to slow down once she was beside him. She followed him in silence, her eyes wandering through the township in awe. Japan was more amazing that she had ever imagined. The architecture was brilliant, and the air was fresh. It was a small township, however, and Shannon believed the cities would prove to be quite different.
The blonde teenager gradually began to shuffle her eyes toward the young man beside her. She looked down toward his feet first, her eyes slowly moving up. He wore large black school type shoes, and tight black pants that hugged his thin legs. His pale blue shirt had the sleeves rolled up just below his elbows, and revealed long slender fingers. The top two or three buttons were undone, exposing an area in which his collar bone could be seen, rippling out from beneath pale skin.
Her eyes skimmed over his reasonably long neck, and up to his face. The face she had longed to gaze upon in depth since she first met him by the fountain. Much of it was hidden by hair, which hung about halfway down his glasses. It’s colour was not too different from that of his shirt, a soft blue.
Much about him seemed thin and pale, as if he may fade away, not unlike the way she had seen her friends do not so long ago. Shannon guessed he preferred to keep things that way, not drawing attention to himself, and holding others to a distance. His cold, blue eyes seemed to hide so much, like the shield that separated him from humanity. It was impossible to tell what was going on inside his head, He had such a poker face.
Hang on, Shannon thought. I’m looking into his eyes… But then that would mean…he’s looking back at me… ?!?! She quickly snapped out of her daze, her eyes darting away, but he continued watching her intently.
“I’m Shannon,” She smiled, trying to break the tension she had caused. “I feel a little silly asking you this now, after I’ve already known you for about…half a hour?” She rubbed the back of her head in embarrassment. “But…what’s your name?” She already knew it, but thought it best to play along like she had no clue as to who he was.
He faced away, pushing his glasses up, before turning back toward her.
“I’m Satoshi,” He smiled back, and Shannon nearly melted. “Satoshi Hiwatari.”
OOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
By the time they reached Satoshi’s flat, it was dark. Rain was bucketing down outside, and as Satoshi fiddled around in the darkness for his key, Shannon began to shiver.
“Are….are you ok, Satoshi?”
“mmm…” The keys jingled around in his hand, and the sound of the door handle followed soon after. “got it.”
The door swung open into the shadowy room, and Shannon peered in, squinting to adjust her eyes. Satoshi’s pale hand slipped though behind the door, feeling for the light switch. The humming of a light sounded, and the room began to flicker with brightness.
Shannon grinned. “Ah… that’s better! Now I can see you!”
“mmm…” Satoshi didn’t seem very sociable at the moment. Perhaps Krad was hassling him. It was probably better not to mention anything right now, in case he suspected ill of her, and kicked her out on her own. It must be difficult, to have a murderer living in your head. One that will never die, or disappear. One that your family created, only to be destroyed by it. It was a heavy topic, not something Shannon wanted to bring up so early in their relationship. (AN: by this I just mean that they haven’t know each other long)
Satoshi cleared his throat. “uh, is it ok if you sleep on the couch? There’s only one bedroom. I suppose you can have that if you want, though the sheets aren’t clean.”
“oh no! It’s fine! I’ll sleep on the couch, no worries!” Shannon gave him the thumbs up, and the commander looked slightly stunned.
“If your sure…Tonight I have work, and will be leaving shortly after seven.”
“Oh! So you’ll still have time for dinner then?”
“I guess so…I haven’t got much. Is cup-o-ramen ok?”
Shannon put her finger to head chin. She wasn’t sure what ramen was, only that they ate it a lot on ‘Steel Angel Kurumi’. Maybe it was like two minute noodles?
“Ah, your not used to Japanese cuisine, is that right?”
“I eat quite a bit of Asian actually, only…ramen is….?”
Satoshi walked over to an archway, motioning for her to follow. If Shannon could use one word to describe the room before her, she would defiantly choose “cluttered”. The sink was cluttered with dirty dishes, the walls cluttered with cupboards, and the bin overflowing with rubbish. In fact, the only thing that was not cluttered were the cupboards themselves, which were completely bear.
Soon, however, room was found for the kettle, and a plastic cup was pushed into Shannon’s face.
“eat quickly. I’m going to take a shower first.” Shannon first took a look into the cup, finding it’s contents to be thick yellow noodles, with vegetables and meat. And probably loads of MSG, Shannon thought, being reminded of her mother’s quest for MSG-free Asian food. She let out an “ooooh! Ramen!” and began to chow down. (AN: hee hee. What a funny phrase!)
Shannon then looked down at her clothes, which were soaking wet. She wore a red evanescence hoodie (which was just as well, because her white top underneath had probably gone see through), a black and red tie (under her hoodie), a black lacy skirt, red stockings, and little, black, healed, slip-on shoes. She felt into her pocket and grinned, grasping her ipod and pulling it out. As she began to untangle the headphones (which were always getting caught in a knot), she felt a tap in her shoulder.
Spinning around, Shannon came, once again, face to face with Satoshi.
“Woah!” She cried, slipping on some water (the kitchen was filled with water as well) and falling forward. Satoshi caught her by her shoulders and propped her back upright.
“be careful.” he muttered, passing her some dry clothes. “the shower’s free now, you can borrow these. I‘m leaving now, and will be home late. There‘s no need to wait for me.”
“ah…yes….thankyou….” Shannon said, sticking the headphones in her ears and hitting play. She bid him goodnight, and smiled.
And then he left, stepping out of the apartment with a glint in his eye that was somewhat unhuman. A flicker, pacing with an almost maddened excitement. The excitement of a chase soon to begin.
Shannon sighed, if only he knew. If he knew that she knew who he was, if he knew what she felt, what would he do? She turned toward the bathroom, music softly whispering in her ears. Whispering words that seemed almost fitting.
“Sayonara Isogu youni
Anata ni Furi dasu ame
Nanika Nandemo ii hanashite
Motto Soba ni itai
Rain begins to fall on you
As if hurrying your goodbye
Say something, anything
I want to be closer to you
Kotoba ni Dekinai hodo
Kokoro ga Sakebu keredo
Ame ni Kono mama hiki tometara
Anata Nurete shimau
Though my heart shouts
So much that I can't speak
If I stop you in the rain like this
You'll be soaked through
Nakanaide Saigo made Anata ga mienai
Senaka ga nijinde kiete yuku
Shinjitakunai mada dekinai Omoide ni nante
Anata o aishi sugite iru
Don't cry until the end
I can't see you, as your back blurs and fades into the distance
I still can't believe- don't want to believe- in these feelings
I love you too much.”
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